Bag handling equipment

ABSTRACT

Bag handling equipment including novel electrically controlled hydraulic means to engage firmly with the flaps on the lead bag of a supply of bags advancing in a horizontal plane and effective to carry the engaged bag from its initial vertical position into a substantially horizontal position for delivery into associated bag handling or treating apparatus.

United States Patent [1 1 Nyborg [451 Apr. 9, 1974 [54] BAG HANDLINGEQUIPMENT 2,249,773 7/1941 Mattera 27l/l [76] Inventor: Ralph A. Nyborg,641 N. Main St.,

Napervme, L 60540 Przmary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Elmer L. Zwickel [22] Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:321,650 [57] ABSTRACT Bag handling equipment including novelelectrically [52] US. Cl. 271/2 controlled hydraulic means to g g firmlywith the 51 Int. Cl B65h 5/00 p on the lead g of a p y of bags advancingin [58] Field of Search 198/27; 271/1, 2, 18 R a horizontal Plane andeffective to Carry the engaged bag from its initial vertical positioninto a substantially [56] Ref e i d horizontal position for deliveryinto associatedbag handling 01 treating apparatus. 2,747,769 5/1956Erickson 271/18 R 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 BAG HANDLING EQUIPMENTThe invention relates to improvements in bag handling equipment and ismore specifically concerned with novel structure and apparatus operableautomati cally to feed bags from a supply thereof individually toassociated apparatus such as, for example, a printing machine.

More particularly, the disclosed apparatus includes incrementallyactuated conveyor means operable to advance a supply ofbags, arrangedthereon in upstanding substantially vertical position, toward bagfeeding mechanism associated therewith. The bag feeding mechanism is ofa type wherein means movable through a vertical are functions toinitially carry novel bag grabber means into engagement with the leadbag, which grabber means is then actuated to positively engage the bagand then carry same upwardly and away from the supply into asubstantially horizontal position for feeding into a related apparatusor for otherwise dispensing of same.

The means movable in a vertical plane and the bag engaging means carriedthereby, preferably are hydraulically actuated in response to actuationof select switches in an associated electrical control circuit.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide bag handlingequipment of the character referred to.

Another object is to provide novel means and mechanism for engaging orgrabbing a bag and carrying it into a position for advance intoassociated apparatus.

Another object is to provide means, in equipment of the characterreferred to, for advancing step-by-step a supply of bags arranged in avertical plane.

Another object is to provide novel means to engage a flap or flaps on abag to be advanced and to retain such engagement until the bag iscarried to a predetermined position.

Another object is to provide novel electrically controlled hydralicmeans for operating the various components of the bag handlingequipment.

Another object is to provide bag handling equipment of the characterreferred to which is not difficult to construct or maintain serviceable,and which is very efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent withreference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of the bag handling equipment showingthe conveyor means partially broken away.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag engaging or grabbing mechanism,showing it in non-engaging position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the mechanism engaged with abag.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a representative bag.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the hydraulic system and electricalcontrols therefor, viewed from the side of the equipment opposed to theside shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the hydraulic system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the electrical wiring of the system.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a modified form of bag handlingequipment.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a bag of the type handled by the FIG. 8equipment.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 1through 7,. and particularly to FIG. 1, the bag handling equipment isembodied in a horizontal frame structure 11, mounting a bag feed endlessconveyor 12. The conveyor is trained, at the feed end of the frame,over. sprockets 13 mounted firmly on a horizontal shaft 14, and itsother end is trained over a conventional idler sprocket assembly, notshown. The shaft 14 carries on one end a ratchet type drive element15-including a radially extending actuating arm 16 having its free endpivotally connected to the end of a piston rod 17 extending from ahydraulic piston-cylinder assembly 18 which is mounted at its rear end,pivotally, to an upstanding rigid member 19 formed integral with theframe structure 11.

The bag conveyor 12 mounts a plurality of mutually spaced apart uprights21 between which stacks of bags 22 are arranged in a vertical position.In use, the bags are advanced toward the feed mechanism, to be describedpresently, in incremental steps responsive to intermittent operation ofthe piston-cylinder assembly 18. As best shown in FIG. 4, each bag 22has an infolded flap 22a on each of its vertical margins and the bagsare arranged on the conveyor 12 with the side bearing the flaps 22afacing toward the feed mechanism.

Also mounted pivotally on the frame structure 11, in advance of thedelivery end of the conveyor 12, is a bag feeding mechanism embodying avertically disposed frame assembly 23 comprised of a pair of laterallyspaced apart vertical arms 23a firmly connected, at their upper ends, bya cross bar 24. It should be noted that the upper end of this frameassembly terminates in a plane substantially midway between the top andbottom edges of the bags 22 and it is adapted to be reciprocably rockedabout its pivot 25 toward and away from the bags 22. For this purpose,an hydraulic pistoncylinder assembly 26 is provided, the body orcylinder thereof being connected, as at 27, to the frame 1] and itspiston rod 28 connected to the frame assembly 23, as at 29. Whenoperated, the frame assembly moves between the full line position shownin FIG. 1, and the dotted line position there illustrated.

The frame assembly 23 carries on its upper end an hydraulically actuatedbag engaging or gripper assemblygenerally shown at 31. i

As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the bag grabber or gripper assembly 31 ismounted on the upper extremity of the frame assembly 23, for pivotalswinging in a vertical plane; i.e: from the rearwardly tilted full lineposition shown in FIG. 1 into the forwardly tilted dotted line positiontherein shown. The gripper assembly is carried on a horizontal bar 32,pivoted at 33 to the cross bar 24. End extensions 34 are firmlyconnected one to each end of the bar 32 and each has a curved endportion 35 adapted, when the assembly is carried into contact with thelead bag 22, to cause the vertical side margins of the lead bag to beurged rearwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, so as to open up the bag flaps 22aon its vertical edges.

When the bag gripper assembly 31 is in its bag eng ing position (FIG. 3)hydraulic means is actu H cause the fingers 36 on a pair of flapengaging to engage behind the respective flaps 220. T 37 are pivotallymounted at 38 on a rearw jecting extension 39 of the horizontal bar 32,and normally lie in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 2. Thehydraulic means for moving the flap engaging pawls from their FIG. 2retracted position into their FIG. 3 extended position and vise versa,preferably comprises a pair of hydraulic piston-cylinder assemblies 40,one for each pawl, that are also carried pivotally by the horizontal bar32.

It should be evident, that during one cycle of operation, the frameassembly 23 is carried forward from its full line position (FIG. 1) intothe dotted line position shown, When in its retracted full line positionthe bag gripper assembly 31 is tilted rearwardly downwardly. When in itsforward or advanced position (dotted lines) the bag gripper assembly 31is tilted forwardly downwardly as shown. It is when in this positionthat the lead bag is contacted (FIG. 3) and the piston-cylinderassemblies 40 are actuated to engage the gripper fingers 36 behind thebag flaps 22a. The means provided to rock the bag gripper assembly 31comprises a rigid link or rod 41 (FIG. 1) connected at one end, as at42, to the bag gripper assembly 31, and at its other or lower end to afixed pivot 43 on the main frame structure 11. Thus it will be seen thatthe lead bag 22 is carried from its substantially vertical positionupwardly and forwardly into a substantially horizontal position toenable it to be-engaged by feed means (not shown) on related equipmentsuch as for example, a printing machine.

The hydraulic system is best illustrated schematically, in FIG. 6/ Asthere shown, fluid under pressure from any suitable source is deliveredthrough a line 44 to a filter and mixer 45 from where it is delivered,when the proper valves therein are opened selectively, to either end ofthe piston-cylinder assembly 26 controlling operation of the grabberframe arm 23. A line 46 also leads from the feed line 44 to each of apair of solenoid valves 47-48. A line 49 leads from solenoid valve 47including a pair of flow regulators 51, to the chain drivepiston-cylinder assembly 18 which operates in timed sequence. Similarly,a line 52, which also includes a pair of flow regulators 53, leads fromthe solenoid valve 48 to each of the piston-cylinder assemblies 40controlling operation of the grabber fingers 36.

The electrical circuit is best shown in FIG. 7 and will be described inconjunction with a resume of operation. Electrical current is feed intothe system through lines 54-55, on on-off switch 56 being provided inline 54. Line 54 is connected through line 57 directly with one terminalof solenoid valve 47 connected to the chain drive piston 18, the otherterminal of ;which is connected by line 58 to an adjustable timer 59which is energized through a line 61 having a micro-switch 62 therein.

As connected, when the switch 62, which is a safety switch, is closed,bags continue to advance with the conveyor for removal by coordinatedoperation of the bag frame assembly 23. However, should the frameassembly 23 be not functioning for any reason, the advance of bags alongthe conveyor 12 will carry the lead bag into contact with and open theswitch 62 so as to stop the advance of bags.

The line 55 also is connected, through line 55a, to a pair ofmicro-switches 63-64. With the switch 63 closed, the frame assembly 23is spaced from the bags (full lines in FIG. 1) and the switch 64,carried on the upper end of the frame assembly 23, is open. When saidassembly moves forward toward the bags 22 on the conveyor (dotted linesin FIG. 1) said switch 64 contacts the lead bag and is thereby closed toreverse the direction of arm travel and cause it to return to itsoriginal position again closing switch 63. If there are no bags presentfor contact by the switch 64, the frame assembly remains in positionuntil a bag has advanced sufficiently to contact and close switch 64.

Now, when the frame assembly 23 reaches the bags on the conveyor, anormally open switch 66 firmly located near the bottom or pivoted end ofthe assembly 23, is closed by a cam 66a so as to actuate the fingers36-37 and carry them into bag engaging position. When the frame assemblynow moves away from the bags, the lead bag is carried therewith anddelay action of the cam 66a then releases the switch 66 to allow it toopen/. This causes the fingers 36-37 to release the bag for delivery toassociated mechanism.

The emboiment shown in FIG. 8 is substantially like that previouslydescribed except that the bag grabber assembly 31a is designed toco-operate with shopping bags 71 of a type having a flap 72 on theirbottom edge. In feeding the bags they are arranged on the conveyorassembly 12 substantially vertically, as before, but they are invertedso as to locate the bottom flap 72 on the upper end and on the sidefacing the grabber assembly. When in this position, their handles 73 areextended downwardly between the conveyor assembly chains.

The grabber assembly 31a is comprised of an arm 74 pivotally mountedbetween its ends, as at 75, to the top of the frame assembly 23a, and itis connected to the base of the frame structure 11a, by a rod 41a so asto be tilted from a substantially horizontal retracted position, into asubstantially vertical position when carried toward the bags. The arm 74carries rigidly on its front end a grabber element 76 having a resilientbag engaging finger 77*on its end. Thus, when the grabber assembly 31ais in bag engaging position and is then carried through an arc upwardlyaway from the supply of bags, the flap 72 on the lead bag is engaged bythe finger 77 and said bag is carried upwardly into a substantiallyhorizontal plane, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8, for engagement forexample, by feed rollers 78 on an associated printing machine or otherapparatus.

Although I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, as details ofthe structure may be modified or changed without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to berestricted to the exact construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. In bag handling equipment, the combination of, means for supportingand advancing a supply of bags in vertical position and each having atleast one marginal flap facing the direction of advance, an upstandingframe structure mounted on a fixed horizontal axis, means tooscillatably rotate said frame structure toward and away from the leadbag, and at least one flap engaging element carried by said framestructure adapted when the frame structure is in one of its positions toengage behind said flap to carry the bag into a discharge position whenthe frame structure is moved into its other position, said flap engagingelement comprising an assembly pivotally mounted at one end on saidframe structure and having a flap engaging finger on its free end.

2. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein flaps arelocated on each side margin of the bags and the flap engaging elementsare such as to positively engage behind both flaps.

3. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flap ison the top margin of the bag.

4. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein hydraulicmeans is provided to move the frame structure about its axis.

5. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the bagflap engaging means comprises an articulated assembly including means toinitially engage the lead bag to cause the flaps thereof to be extendedout of the plane of the bag, and horizontally movable gripper elementsadapted when in one of their positions to engage behind said flaps.

6. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flapengaging element includes an end extension disposed to bear against thelead bag to extend its flap, and the fingers are movable outwardly intoengagement behind said flap.

7. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 6, wherein hydraulicmeans is provided to actuate the flap engaging fingers.

8. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 6, whereinelectrically controlled hydraulic means is provided to actuate the framestructure and to actuate the flap engaging fingers.

9. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein there aretwo flaps on the bag and two flap engaging elements on the framestructure.

10. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flapengaging element includes means to initially bear against the lead bagto cause the flap thereof to be flexed out of the plane of the bag.

1. In bag handling equipment, the combination of, means for supporting and advancing a supply of bags in vertical position and each having at least one marginal flap facing the direction of advance, an upstanding frame structure mounted on a fixed horizontal axis, means to oscillatably rotate said frame structure toward and away from the lead bag, and at least one flap engaging element carried by said frame structure adapted when the frame structure is in one of its positions to engage behind said flap to carry the bag into a discharge position when the frame structure is moved into its other position, said flap engaging element comprising an assembly pivotally mounted at one end on said frame structure and having a flap engaging finger on its free end.
 2. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein flaps are located on each side margin of the bags and the flap engaging elements are such as to positively engage behind both flaps.
 3. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flap is on the top margin of the bag.
 4. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein hydraulic means is provided to move the frame structure about its axis.
 5. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the bag flap engaging means comprises an articulated assembly including means to initially engage the lead bag to cause the flaps thereof to be extended out of the plane of the bag, and horizontally movable gripper elements adapted when in one of their positions to engage behind said flaps.
 6. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flap engaging element includes an end extension disposed to bear against the lead bag to extend its flap, and the fingers are movable outwardly into engagement behind said flap.
 7. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 6, wherein hydraulic means is provided to actuate the flap engaging fingers.
 8. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 6, wherein electrically controlled hydraulic means is provided to actuate the frame structure and to actuate the flap engaging fingers.
 9. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein there are two flaps on the bag and two flap engaging elements on the frame structure.
 10. In the bag handling equipment recited in claim 1, wherein the flap engaging element includes means to initially bear against the lead bag to cause the flap thereof to be flexed out of the plane of the bag. 